Atlanta Falcons Send 'Sizable' Group to QB Michael Penix Jr. Private Draft Workout

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot headline a deep group of decision makers flying to Seattle for a private workout with Washington quarterback Michael Penix.

The Atlanta Falcons solved their short-term quarterback dilemma this spring, signing veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.

But it hasn't stopped Atlanta from doing its due diligence on the signal callers in the 2024 NFL Draft - and University of Washington's Michael Penix Jr. continues to be a player the Falcons spend significant time examining.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot are a part of a "sizable group" heading to Seattle for a private workout Friday with Penix, according to Sports Illustrated.

During Penix's pro day March 28, Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith was present, adding another top executive who's seen Penix throw live.

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before the College Football Playoff National Championship game.

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Penix met with every team at the Reese's Senior Bowl in February and held a formal interview with Atlanta at the NFL Combine in early March - a 20-minute conversation he said went well.

"I felt like it was great," Penix said. "I felt like it was a really good meeting. They asked me some tough questions. Also just trying to get to know me. I feel like that was a very good meeting and I was excited going into it."

University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting after accumulating 4,903 passing yards and 36 touchdowns in 15 games, hails from Tampa, Florida, home of Atlanta's NFC South rivals, the Buccaneers.

Penix will turn 24 years old on May 8, a few weeks after the draft's conclusion; his age has drawn concerns, as has his injury history, which includes a pair of torn ACLs (2018 and 2020) and season-shortening shoulder injuries (2019 and 2021) while at Indiana University.

But during his two years with the Huskies, Penix proved he could stay on the field, starting all 28 possible games. He completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in that span.

The 6-3, 218-pound lefty has often garnered praise for his accuracy and leadership, though predictions of his draft stock have varied - he's largely tabbed as a mid-to-late first-round pick.

Atlanta, evidently, is working to know the ins and outs of Penix - signified best by making a five-hour flight to Seattle to see him throw again. ESPN previously reported Penix will visit the Falcons during the pre-draft process.

Speaking March 27 at the league owners meetings, both Morris and Fontenot said the Falcons will add a third quarterback to their roster, as Cousins and backup Taylor Heinicke are the only two currently employed.

Heinicke's contract is set to expire after the 2024 season. Atlanta's paying Cousins $90 million guaranteed over the next two years, meaning he's almost certain to start through the 2025 season - but there's an avenue out of his contract for 2026, leaving the Falcons with uncertainty thereafter.

And there's a chance Penix - albeit not likely at No. 8 overall - is the avenue Atlanta ultimately pursues.